By Immam Moromoke
Condolence messages in celebration of AGF Abdulrazaq the patriarch of the Abdulrazaq family who died in the early hours of today have continued to pour in.
Personalities like the Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, Hon. Bashir Omolaja Bolarinwa, Chairman board of trustees of SOBI 101.9FM, Mal. Lukman Olayiwola Mustapha, Chieftain of Kwara APC Isha’q Modibbo Kawu, Abm. Abdulfatai Yahyah Seriki and members of the Kwara State executive council have all extended their condolences to the family.
While members of the Kwara State executive council and all government appointees through a press release signed by the Commissioner for Communication, Mrs. Adenike Harriet Afolabi-Oshatimehin and made available to newsmen in Ilorin, this morning, condole with Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and other members of the family.
The release reads “The cabinet and all government functionaries commiserate with our Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, the Abdulrazaq family, Ilorin emirate and indeed Kwara State as a whole.
“The elder statesman who was Chairman Body of Benchers, the Mutawali of Ilorin and Tafida of Zazzau (Zaria) died peacefully at about two o’clock in the early hours of today (2:00 a.m.), Saturday, July 25th, 2020.
” He was the first indigenous lawyer from the Northern Region of Nigeria was survived by his aged wife Alhaja Raliat AbdulRazak, successful and illustrious children including the sitting Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, a former Senator, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
“While awaiting further arrangements on his internment from the family, we pray that God grant Baba Aljanah Firdaus and grant his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss” she added
Lukman Mustapha who expressed shock over the demise of the Abdulrazaq patriarch, through a condolence message released by his media team, appreciated God for a life well spent, stressing that the several records of the deceased will be hard to break.
He said “The death of AGF Abdulrazaq is indeed a big loss to Ilorin emirate, Kwara State and Nigeria. This is a death which is best described as the burning of a national library.
” Baba was in all ramifications an accomplished man of many firsts, from his professional calling, his political life, his being an unapologetic Northerner and indeed one of the earliest torchbearers of Ilorin emirate.
“On behalf of my self, my family and the Rebirth family, i condole with the Emir of Ilorin, the Abdulrazaq family and most especially Gov. Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq on this irreparable loss, which has left a vacuum to big to fill” he stressed
Bolarinwa on his part said “His wealth of experience has remained invaluable overtime. We are indeed saddened by his exit at this time, however we take solace in the illustrious life he lived and the worthy legacies he left behind.
” On behalf of the executive committee, elders and entire membership of our party, l commiserate with the Executive Governor of kwara State, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and the entire Abdulrazaq family over the passage of their patriarch” he added
Ishiaq Modibbo Kawu in a message he personally signed said “I’ve just seen the report of the passing of one of the greatest sons of Nigeria; the first lawyer from Northern Nigeria; an outstanding pioneer and very proud son of Ilorin Emirate, Alhaji AGF AbdulRazaq, SAN; Mutawali Ilorin; Tafidan Zazzau.
“We are all poorer today, with the passing of this exemplary human being; father; pioneer and uncommon achiever. Alhaji AGF AbdulRazaq was an incredibly courageous individual, given the manner that his life was lived.
“Not only did he grow up far away from his home, Ilorin, but was also able to secure achievements that were not known to his contemporaries in Ilorin and Northern Nigeria of those times; these culminated in his becoming the first lawyer in the sprawling Northern Region, that became 19 states today.
” May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljanna Fir’daus. Amin. May Allah give His Highness, the Emir of Ilorin; the people of the Ilorin Emirate; the Zazzau Emirate; Northern Nigeria, that has just lost it’s FIRST lawyer; Nigeria, and finally the AbdulRazaq family ( especially our dearest Mama), the fortitude to bear the passing of Alhaji AGF AbdulRazaq. Allah ya gafarta masa; ya kuma jikan sa da rahama”.
The apex ilorin socio-cultural group, Ilorin Emirate Descendant Progressives Union through its National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Imam described AGF AbdulRazaq as the end of an era.
The statement said that Alhaji AbdulRazaq was a phenomenal figure in the march to greatness of Ilorin Emirate in many ways than one,saying that he was one of those who actually placed Ilorin Emirate in the sociopolitical and educational maps of Nigeria over many decades ago.
Alhaji Uthman said that Alhaji AbdulRazaq was not only the first University graduate produced by Ilorin Emirate but also the first “learned gentleman” produced by the entire Northern Nigeria ,a feat he recalled that great son of Ilorin Emirate recorded in February, 1955.
The IEDPU President therefore condoled with His Excellency,the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and Dr. Muhammad Alimi AbdulRazaq as well as the entire members of the distinguished family of the foremost lawyer on the death of their most illustrious patriarch. He also sympathised with His Royal Highness, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR,and the Emir of Zaria, Alhaji(Dr.)Shehu Idris on the death of Alhaji AbdulRazaq, who until his death was the Mutawali of Ilorin and Tafida of Zaria” he added
On his part, the Chairman CEO of Kursi investment, Amb. Abdulfatai Yahyah Seriki said the death of AGF Abdulrazaq deserves celebration and not mourning, stressing that the departed came, saw and conquered.
” As AGF passed, he left his name in the sand of time, he left us with a memory of a kind heart, a philanthropist, a leader and a giver who demonstrated in his life time the possibilities that are there if only we are bold enough to lift others.
“Rather than mourn, today we must say thank you to AGF for leading the way, for being a role model, and for showing us the good that exist on the other side of fear.
” Ilorin and the entire region has indeed incurred a great loss. I, hereby, send my heartfelt condolences, first of all, to the governor of Kwara state, AbdulRahaman AbdulRazaq, to the entire family of AGF, to Ilorin people and to the entire northern region” he concluded
